Lois Cox, of Oreland, celebrated her 97th birthday on Sept. 11 with many of her loved ones. Her family consists of four daughters, all now close to 70 years old, nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter, who is almost one year old.

But Cox has also received another honor: a letter from Springfield Township officials informing her that she has been chosen to receive their “Beautiful Springfield Award.” Signed by Susanna O. Ratsavong, of Wyndmoor, a lawyer and president of the township board of commissioners, it reads in part: “Your property has been recognized by Township staff and/or Commissioner-appointed volunteers for our Beautiful Springfield Award.

“The Beautiful Springfield Project is an initiative started in 2026 to recognize exemplary property caretaking and environmental stewardship in Springfield Township. The Township recognizes and appreciates the many members of our community who invest time, energy and resources into their properties and understand these efforts all contribute to creating an admirable quality of life in our community.”

Cox says she is “blessed” and in good overall health. She still does some of her own gardening.

“I still drive a car but not too far,” she told the Local last week. “I have been driving to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Oreland since 1958. (She is believed to be the longest serving member.) My daughter, Sharon, drives me to the supermarket.”

“She joined the Presby Weds 69 years ago,” said Sharon Cox. “That was a group of 10 couples at the church who would get together and usually play cards every Saturday night, bridge and canasta and other games. Now only one other lady in the group is left.”

Lois Cox grew up in York, Pennsylvania, and came here in 1958 because her husband, Carl, took a job with Abbott Pharmaceuticals, now in King of Prussia. They lived in Flourtown for seven years and then in Oreland since 1965. She was a gardener during all of those years. She did all the mowing of the lawn and caring for the flowers.

“I wanted the yard to look nice for the neighbors,” she said.

HSB Garden Designs, of Oreland, did most of the work on the garden, but Cox still does the weeding and trimming. Up until one year ago, she mowed the front lawn. Every year she does something different with the yard.

“She is out at 7:30 a.m., working on the garden,” said her daughter. “It is good exercise. Mom actually has two front gardens, a side garden by the driveway and a garden on the other side of the yard.”

Cox’s husband, Carl, died 15 years ago at age 82. They were married for almost 60 years. “The kids were planning a birthday party when that happened, but instead we had a funeral,” she said.

Gardening isn’t her only hobby.

“I do watch TV but don’t read as much as I should,” she said. “I play Scrabble with Sharon. I am glued to the TV set for every Phillies game. I love the Phillies and the Eagles. My favorite player is Alec Bohm. He just settled a lawsuit against his parents for misusing his money. I fell for him; I don’t know why. I also love the announcers, John Kruk and Tom McCarthy. I only went to one Phillies game in person. You are so far away from the players if you go in person. You miss so much. I prefer to watch on TV because you can see everything.”

Cox’s grandson, Justin, just gave her a birthday present of a Phillies jersey with Bohm’s name on the back and his number, 28. It is size small.

“I had it on when I went grocery shopping,” she said. “I keep it next to me when I watch the games. Lately, Bohm has been playing great, which makes me happy.”

Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.